All Middle East
First LookAfghans huddle in Kabul parks as Taliban take another capitalOver 17,000 Afghans have fled their provincial homes and are taking refuge in Kabul, Afghanistan鈥檚 capital, as the Taliban offensive expands. On Thursday, the Taliban took a tenth provincial capital weeks before the formal end of the U.S. military's mission in the country.聽
The ExplainerWhat a hard-line Iranian president means for his country, and regionWill the shift in Iran from a moderate to a hard-liner as president create tensions with the West? In nuclear talks, it may create an opening.
Profile in courage: He defied the advancing Taliban, and paid with his lifeAs Taliban insurgents sweep across Afghanistan, the assassination of a defiant district governor is a case study in loss, but also courage.
First LookTaliban captures much of Kunduz, official says, as surge intensifiesKunduz, a provincial capital, is a strategic crossroads with access to the north and Afghanistan's capital, Kabul.聽Several provincial capitals have been threatened as Taliban fighters sweep through the country while聽U.S. and NATO troops wrap up their withdrawal.聽
First LookTaliban enter Afghan provincial capital, lawmaker says, continuing sweepTaliban fighters have captured large swathes of Afghanistan as the last U.S. and NATO troops leave the country. In recent weeks they have laid siege to several provincial capitals.聽
First LookFighting for control: Taliban kill Afghanistan's media directorOn Friday, the Taliban assassinated the Afghan government鈥檚 press director,聽Dawa Khan Menapal, while he was riding in his car through the country鈥檚 capital. The move comes as the Taliban continues territorial expansion with rapid speed as the U.S. and NATO exit.聽
First LookContinuing hostility to West, Iran swears in hard-line presidentOn Thursday, Iran swore in a new president: Ebrahim聽Raisi, former judiciary chief and prot茅g茅 of Iran鈥檚 supreme leader. In his speech, Mr. Raisi stressed his aim to lift U.S. sanctions, repair rifts with neighboring countries, and ease a mounting economic crisis.聽
Year after Beirut blast, Lebanese civilians create a futureIf the Beirut port blast exemplified government ineptitude, the energized civil society that has led the rebuilding effort has showcased resilience.
First LookWhy Iran's new social media bill may threaten livelihoodsIranian lawmakers agreed to discuss a bill that would restrict social media apps. Many fear the bill will disrupt communication and hurt entrepreneurs in Iran, where an estimated 1 million people use social media to run their businesses.
First LookThe Taliban have sieged much of south Afghanistan. Now what?The Taliban is close to seizing control of the first provincial capital as it expands its presence in the wake of the U.S. and NATO withdrawal. World leaders have urged the Taliban against a military takeover of Afghanistan.聽聽
鈥楥oup鈥� in Tunisia: Why Arab Spring鈥檚 last light is dimmingIn Tunisia, a presidential power grab that seized on deadlock and pandemic pressures is winning support among a public increasingly down on democracy.
Why a Taliban victory may not be everything Pakistan wished forPakistan鈥檚 heavy investment in the Taliban helped lead them toward a sweeping victory in Afghanistan. Why that鈥檚 giving Pakistan second thoughts.
First LookPower grab or public wish? Tunisian president suspends parliament.Over the weekend, Tunisian protesters,聽angry about pandemic and economic conditions, demanded the dissolution of the country鈥檚 parliament. In response, President Kais Saied fired the prime minister, which critics worry may mark a descent into authoritarianism.
First LookPolitical scoop: Ben&Jerry's pulls out of West BankOn Monday, Ben & Jerry鈥檚 announced that it will stop selling its ice cream in Israeli-occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. The Israeli settlements are widely seen by the international community as illegal and obstacles to peace.聽
First LookOPEC and allies find common ground after crude oil disputeA new OPEC policy agreement shifts the number of barrels of crude oil certain countries can produce. Under the new production limits, the UAE will be able to produce up to 3.5 million barrels of crude oil a day, beginning in May 2022.聽
鈥楤ack to the darkness鈥�: Afghan women speak from Taliban territoryDespite Taliban vows that they had reformed while out of power, Afghans say women鈥檚 and girls鈥� rights are regressing where the insurgents have advanced.
Why police violence proves a stubborn problem for democratic TunisiaTunisia, a young democracy, faces a challenge linked to its past but recognizable worldwide: police violence in marginalized communities.
Afghans鈥� choice as US departs: Weak government, or hated TalibanAs the U.S. vacates Bagram, winding down its Afghanistan campaign, in whom can Afghans place their faith? The hated Taliban, or a corrupt government?
Palestinians tell Abbas to 鈥榣eave.鈥� Did he ignite a new 鈥楽pring鈥�?Mobilized by the killing of a political activist, Palestinian protesters are saying their increasingly autocratic president, Mahmoud Abbas, must go.
Iran nuclear deal may be just what hard-line president-elect needsWhy would Iran鈥檚 hard-line president-elect want a revived nuclear deal? It may be the best way to satisfy, and pacify, a disgruntled population.